Central Intermediate School

Ottawa, Illinois

FIRM

CLIENT

Ottawa Elementary School District 141

AREA

97,614 sq.ft.

TOTAL COST

$22,976,853.00

COMPLETION DATE

1/2012

The new fifth- and sixth-grade facility features a two-story, 20-classroom wing that includes two computer labs and a special-education life-skills lab. A media center and instructional technology lab support learning spaces, and fine arts has its own room complete with kiln. Band, chorus and practice areas support the performing-arts program. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCAPACITY450COST PER SQ FT$235.38FEATURED IN2012 Architectural Portfolio double-sided stage separates an acoustically tuned, 650-person cafetorium from a two-station gym that seats 600. Utilizing the cafetorium's state-of-the-art projection system, the stage can serve both spaces concurrently. Student assembly areas make creative use of a canted storefront system to optimize external views. Hallways and common areas feature terrazzo flooring. Interior and exterior walls use exposed aggregate ground-face block with cast-stone accents. Vegetated roofs, solar and wind power site lighting, and other environmental initiatives form the basis for a segment of the school’s science curriculum.

All classrooms feature interactive teaching technology. Each is tied to the school’s energy-management system and makes use of daylight harvesting techniques. The school is seeking LEED silver certification.